THE GARNET MOON BEYOND THE SILVER CURTAINS

Chapter 01

Vampires are hematophagous and live by feeding on human blood. They are extremely long-lived individuals that are incomparable to humans in terms of appearance. They possess extraordinary speed, strength, and supernatural healing abilities and can heal almost instantly from any non-lethal wound. Because of this, the only way to easily kill them is to cause them to lose a sufficiently large amount of blood from one attack.
Rinko Harume, a girl whose whole village was destroyed by a vampire, was adopted by Kevin Oliver – the president of an organization called 'the silvers' – two years ago and became a vampire slayer just like the one who saved her at the massacre, Rui Chibara.
"What's the matter, Rinko?" questioned Rui who's currently in a car that's heading for the Carmeli University – the place that's assigned to them to investigate. He's observing her every action ever since she woke up from her slumber because of the creepy noises at the outside. She sneaked a peek from the car's window a while ago but all that she saw were those scary willows along the road, which frightened her a bit.
"Nothing, aniki." a soft answer was her reply as she turned to face him and meet his ever stunning purple eyes, which appear as shimmering in her azure ones. His reddish-black hair carves the frame of his neck; hers is wavy, blue-tinted black. It was shoulder-length before but because of an unfortunate incident it shortened when it burnt. "Don't worry." she smiled.
"Good." he phrased. She's eighteen and he appears twenty. "But don't forget what we are going to." his tone was friendly yet serious. Though he doesn't show it, he really cares for her and she knows that. Ever since her life was ruined, he became her brother or sometimes even her sire, even though they aren't relatives. The same goes for Akira – Rui's cousin.
After some minutes of silence, it rained.
She watched the tiny streams that formed on the window besides her like a child would do. The only difference is that she neither cherishes it nor relaxes with it. Even though the rain is pleasant for the others, she loathes it.
"Aren't you afraid?" he asked,
"Of what?" but was only answered by another question. She's pretending to be ignorant of his question's purpose.
"Of thunders." then, a lightning flashed.
"...I told you," she faintly smiled. "It has already subsided." but, Rui knows the difference of 'subsided' from 'gone'; nevertheless, he smiled back.
It thundered.
The only reaction that he was able to observe was just a wince, but still, the worry in his eyes isn't leaving yet.
"Here." he gestured at her as he took an ipod from his coat's pocket.
"Thanks." she took it. Although Rui knows that an embrace is better, like what Akira does, he resisted; because he knows that he's not in the place to.
"Look." he pointed his finger to the windshield, directing to the building that's becoming more visible every second beyond their hazy path. "Be careful inside."
"Yes." she replied coldly and her eyes narrowed. "There are vampires lurking in there." with that, Rui glared at her but he did not dare to say a word.
The thunders have ceased already – and she gave the gadget back to him – although the rain itself did not; so when they passed the gates of the university and stopped by its front entrance, they took their umbrellas with them as they got off the car.
"We'll just take our things personally." he talked to the driver.
"Y-yes." and he looked away. Hesitation was in his voice but he just obeyed as they made their way to the car's compartment and took their luggage. The car left as soon as they headed to the double doors, where Vince Akishi – the university's chairman – awaits them.
"I'm sorry if we are late," he said as they sheltered themselves under the eaves of the said building and closed their umbrellas.
"No, you're not." Vince said. He's blackish sienna haired and sea green eyed guy in a white shirt, magenta necktie and black coat. He appears to be thirty-nine. He seemed to be glaring at Rui a moment before he blinked and shake hands with him that Rinko thought he's suspicious. "You're just in time." after that, a car followed and halted at the same place as the other did and, Akira – a hazel haired and slate gray eyed guy who's the same age as Rui – got off with Fuyumi, a brunette. She has the same eyes as Akira and age as Rinko. She's Rui's sister, Akira's – obviously – cousin and Rinko's best friend – although it may not seem like that. They also have their umbrellas, which they also closed when they got to their side but unlike what the other two did, the one who took their luggage is the driver himself.
"Akira," Rui said. "It's better if you're the ones who took you're luggage since it's raining." he scolded them when he saw the driver being drenched but no one replied. He sighed.
Then to the chairman, he said, "Can't we go to our rooms yet?" at that moment, the driver placed their things beside them and went off with the car afterwards.
"Maria," the chairman called a girl who immediately paced to his side. She's a black-shoulder-length-haired girl in a white-sailor-collared-shirt. Her shirt's collars have a pair of checkered lines. She has a checkered necktie with a slanting white line –that indicates she's a first year – and the university's logo. They all match her pleated skirt, which is also checkered and her black leather shoes that goes well with her white socks.
It's just a little awkward since in other universities, the students only are in civilian clothes. As soon as she came in Rui's front, she got a surprised expression on her face. Rui was the same but they tried to hide it.
"Take them to their rooms."
"Everyone," she said with a bow as Rui smiled. "Welcome. May we become good friends." and she straightened herself and paced to her right, leading them. Akira and Fuyumi were a bit confused about their reactions but pushed it aside as they started to follow her.
"Rui," he said after a few minutes. "We must be close to Rinko's room."
"You're still insisting that?"
"Of course, she's often the target of...the vampires." he spoke softly for the last word as he glanced as the girl called Maria. Rui just sighed at him. It doesn't matter if he didn't lower his voice; the girl would still hear him.
"I know. But the girls' and the boys' dorms are surely separated."
"We can't just let her be in danger." then, although hesitating, Rui took Maria's attention.
"Arita-san, is this building the dorm of the boys' or the girls'?" at the way he called her, Akira got more confused. Arita must be her surname but then, how would he know it? The chairman just called her by her first name.
"The girls', is there any problem, Honou-san?" her reply was so polite since they are new comers. Rui glared at her at that as a sign that she's mistaken at what he called him as. Akira was about to correct her when she continued, "Sorry...I mean, Chibara-san?"
"Ye-" replied Akira with a low growl but Rui cut him off.
"Not really, but we would like to be near the dorms of our companions."
"I don't think that's a good idea but I'll tell this to the chairman. For the meantime, I'll just let you stay at the room near the student council's. There's just a guy who occupies it."
"That's fine." Rui replied. He's always so mature in compromising.
"Thank you for your consideration." she smiled and they went going.

"This place seems like it's just ordinary." Fuyumi said. Rinko and her are some couple of meters away from the guys since they went up a set of stairs with their heavy luggage. "Do you think this university has really become their lair?"
"Perhaps." she concluded. Rui-aniki and Akira-aniki argued again. She thought, a bit curious but worried at the same time.
"There must be a way of how a vampire can enter-"
"They can pretend like they are also humans." she stated softly but coldly, clutching her fist. Fuyumi looked at her. Even if she's vexatious for Rinko, she still cares. "They are plain beasts. It's just that the catalyst of their simple but ruinous prowess is human blood."
"I mean, is this university's security really that low?" she continued.
"You can't blame them." ‑ hatred is in her eyes ‑ "A person won't act differently to a vampire...unless he'll see the exact murdering act of theirs." she clenched her fist at her statement, remembering her horrible past.
Fuyumi almost sighed at her but controlled herself since she knows they might argue again.

Rui and Akira reached their room at the second floor – and as it was said, near the student council's room. It was exhausting for the two best friends because theirs is at the third floor, exactly above the guys'. However, they did not enter the room immediately like the two guys did.
"Sayako-san, this is Maria. Please, open up." but instead of being opened, a voice just answered back. Rinko and Fuyumi did not hear it, though. "We talked about this already." she frowned, disappointed of the turning of the events. It's embarrassing to argue in front of strangers.
"Excuse me." In dismay, Fuyumi grabbed her shoulder. "If you would like to, we'll just occupy a different room." at that, the door opened and Sayako stood exactly beside it with a grumpy look.
"Sorry, but there's no other room available anymore. The others are fully-occupied." she panicked a bit as she apologized. Sayako was glaring at her.
"Then, let's just settle this tomorrow or some other day." Rinko said, in a cold and insulting manner. "We're tired of the travel. We need some rest." just when she was about to enter, Fuyumi tripped her, causing her to bump to Sayako. She felt her blood ran faster at the vein at her temple. "Fuyumi!" she exclaimed, her temper shortening as she glares at her. "Ah...sorry...Sayako-san, is it?" she apologized, half willingly, after she settled herself.
"Y-yes..." Sayako answered as she stepped back, her right hand covers her mouth and nose as shadows from her hair – which fell on her face–cover her eyes.
Weird, Rinko thought. Although, it wasn't clear, I know, she blushed.
"Then I guess I'll just come back for tomorrow." said Maria with a nervous laugh.
"Yeah." Fuyumi stated. "And I'm sorry that my friend acted vulgarly." Rinko shot a glare at her at what she said. What? Fuyumi talked to her in monotone.
You didn't have to trip me! Her reply is seen in her eyes.
"That's nothing." Maria said and looked at Sayako. "I hope you will have a good time with them." she smiled at her and turned to Rinko and Fuyumi again. "There are just three rooms between us. Just call me if you still need anything." and she left.
They all went inside, afterwards. Sayako stayed in a room – that Rinko assumed is the restroom – for about a quarter of minutes, probably to cool down, which is a favor for the both of them because the other girl who's still a stranger might freak out for their things – that includes a huge case with a bow, a quiver of arrows and a rod inside – are very unusual for university students. If she won't freak out, she might get alarmed and will either fight them on the spot or report to someone...if she's a vampire.
"There," Fuyumi gave her the remaining hangers after she finished with her things. "Just fold the casual and home clothes and hang your uniforms." ‑ and she headed to the door and twisted the knob ‑ "I'll just try to investigate around the campus to gather some information." then she left.
I dislike fixing things, really.
She sighed, not noticing the small creak from the restroom's door when the other girl went out.
"Want a help?" she turned around and saw her leaning beside a wall, calmly. It is almost like she's plastering a facade on her face – the girl now really contrasts to the previous one who was threatening.
"If you want to." and she sat beside her, and then started folding the slayer's clothes. Rinko quickly hid their case underneath a bed beside the window, which she decided to take later since she noticed that the upper bed in a double deck ‑ that's a meter beside it ‑ is messy with books and paperwork.
After that, she glanced at her. She has a long, wavy russet hair and autumnal brown eyes – a beautiful person, indeed. Her expression is so calmed yet blank.
"Thanks." she said duplicating the facade that the other also wears as she smiled at her and sat back by Sayako's side.
"Why?" Sayako replied replied coldly.
"Because you're helping me."
"This is for what I did a while ago. I delayed your rest," she cockily said.

The crescent moon smiled gently as it shines its faint light. The entire school grounds are empty and silence is only the present thing. The only sounds are the lone howls of some wolves in the forest and the rustling of the leaves of the trees that sways in the wind, which can be mistaken for the sounds of the waves lapping on the shore. The scenery is all because most students and are now fast asleep for it is already past midnight.
Zen Ofrell, a half French and half Japanese guy with a blond hair and brass eyes stepped out of their room. He's the roommate of Rui and Akira who are laid on their beds. Zen closed the door softly afterwards and paced along the corridor. The whole building is dark. There's no light even along the halls but that's not a problem for the likes of him. What does she want now? We discussed this in our meeting last night already.
He strolled faster, then.
He knows that someone follows him. What he doesn't understand is there is no other scent present in this place. If there's really someone there, he would notice it because of its blood. But that didn't happen. He just noticed him because of his steps; which at least, he can still hear. It's like someone's restraining his most important sense.
"Who're you?" he asked in the air calmly but no one answered. "I'll lead you, fine...but proceed on your own risk...she doesn't tolerate things she hates..." he said with a tinge of joking in his voice but it stayed still. Is this a spell? A howl of a wolf cut his thoughts and at that very moment, his senses came but however, he still can feel anyone's presence. Having his problem solved up, he continued his pace, thinking he was just imagining things.
Unknown from him, he's simply leading the stranger when he headed to outside the school and into the forest.
At a certain place in there stood a simple cottage made from bricks. He entered it and opened a locker in a corner with a golden key. From the inside, he took a fire hook and paced towards a square metal cover on the floor at the other corner. He hooked and opened it then used the metal ladder and landed down on the floor. Its passage is narrow and dark. The only things that light it up are the torches along it that are a meter apart from each other.
It seems to be a secret hideout.
He walked through the murky path and turned to a few corners until he halted before a wooden door then entered.
"I'm here." Zen said. Then it opened. There's a fire blazing in a torch above an eye-leveled pillar at its center.
"You're late." Khana Lee Nao said coldly. She has a long amber and dark chestnut eyes. She's dressed in a white, sleeveless, frilled blouse and maroon pants.
"Were you followed?" another girl asked, though the shadows conceal her.
"No." he answered doubtlessly. She smirked.
"Yes, you were."
"...what-" he cut off his sentence after he remembered the sudden absence of his smelling sense. "Oh! Yeah!" then he scratched the back of his head. "I think I was." and Khana sighed at him.
"It has been two centuries, ne?" the girl in the shadows said to the stranger they assumed by behind the door. "Hisashiburi. Did you come to thank me for saving your life? Or to kill me for to turning you into a vampire...like us?" then she came forward to the fire, enlightening herself. She's Sayako Akishi, the vampire lord.


The dark clouds gathered and the rain poured. Her surrounding is – of course – wet and its scent is blood-like. Her expression is like a rat's, pleading for its life in the paws of a cruel cat. She isn't crying but her eyes are wide opened as her body trembles with fear. She sits on the ground as she stares at the guy who's the reason of why her day became a catastrophe.
He's a few meters away from her, but he still threatens to her at that distance. Because he just killed her parents and younger sister. However, despite that, his expression is still the same. He still has his maniacal smile plastered on his face with his eyes as red as the blood that now matches the color of his blood-soaked hand and clothes.
Her family's bodies are next to him, bathing on their own pool of fresh blood. Lightning flashed as he looked at her. His eyes are glowing with malice as he started pacing to her; his every step resonating in her mind like they're saying 'pathetic'.
The guy chuckled at her reaction.
"...Stop...right there. Don't come..." she begged, but she was neglected as he continued.
"I really adore the beatings of your heart." he smirked. She backed off in unison with the rumbling of the thunder. This time her tremblings worsened as tears fall down her cheeks from her eyes.
"...B-bakemono..." she took a glanced at him but noticing how horrible he is, she just horrified herself more. "Bakemono!" he started to laugh as the lightning flashed again, only to threaten her more when his eyes were emphasized with it.
Her eyes quickly opened as she sat up, wiping the tears at the sides of her cheeks. She's breathing and sweating heavily when she noticed that the window beside her is open, letting the cool breeze in and causing the curtains to flutter. "That dream, again?" she uttered to herself. She then took a glimpse of the room – the beds in the double deck are both fixed and empty. They already left for the class? Then she looked at the wall clock. It reads as quarter past seven.
It's unusual for her to wake up at that time. I wonder if their shower has a heater. She got up, took her towel from their closet, took a bath and dressed up in their uniform afterwards. The water was warm even though the shower doesn't have a heater like what she expected. She went out of their room then.
Even though she knows that there's just a few minutes left for the classes to start, she still headed to the dinning hall. Random thoughts were battling in her mind when she saw a weird looking guy leaning against a wall along the hall. He's wearing a white, short-sleeved polo, black slacks and black shoes. She concluded that he's a student and a third year when she noticed the school logo and three black lines on his shirt's pocket. He seemed to be having some respiration problems because of his fast and heavy breathing. Rinko looked around but since she found no one who might help him, she sighed in defeat and came to his help.
"...n-nii-san, daijobu desu ka?" she hesitatingly asked. He is thin and seemed so weak. "Nii-san?"
"...d-daijobu desu..." he replied. "W-what do you want?"
"Err...Can you take me to the dinning hall? I think I'm lost." she explained but he seemed to be not paying attention so she repeated, "'Can you take me to the dinning hall', I said." she glared at him, putting her guard on.
"...g-get away...qui-" he didn't manage to continue when he looked away to his side and slowly slid down the floor, his body slightly trembling and his hand covering his mouth to nose – the exact position Sayako did when they first met. The only difference is that he's closing his eyes and panting in an uneven rhythm . She posed in a fighting stance and was about to bash him when he suddenly grabbed her hand – opposing his own warning.
"What the-!" she exclaimed, trying to back off but he looked at her before she finished and she gasped at what she saw. H-his eyes are red! Her suspicion unfortunately came true. "vampire." she muttered under her breath, full of disgust.
Knowing she's weaponless and has low chance of winning against him, she struggled and got freed. "Tsk! Shimatta!" She dashed away from him, planning to go back to their room and use her bow but he sneaked in her front, blocking her way.
Left without other choices she intended to incapacitate him – she leaped up and kicked his face, jabbed her elbow at his gut and swished her leg across his causing him to stumble and give her time to escape. But he recovered easily and grasped her ankle, halting her.
She froze, remembering her most recent dream.
He stood up and pinned her against a wall, his grip so tight that she felt as if her hand would break.
"...D-don't...ha..nase...!" she uttered, her eyes wide-opened with her body shuddering from his breath when he held her chin and tilted her head to her right. "...k-kuso...!" she cursed, trying to fight her fear as she struggles from his grip and kicks him when he attempted to bite – until gunfire was heard.
She exhaled in relief when his grip loosened and quickly kicked him away before slumping down, still trembling as she huffs. In just a moment, he turned to ashes before her.
"Rinko!" she flinched as she heard Akira called her out and took her in an embrace, which she welcomed when she grasped his shirt fearfully. "Rui! I've found her!" as he called to his side and from another corridor, Rui came and strolled to them. He already knew what happened at the moment that he glanced at the remains and clothes of the vampire that they were just chasing.
"...I told you, Akira!" he scolded him. "That vampire might encounter her!" Akira continued to stare at Rinko who is still in the same position she was in. She hasn't spoken even a single word yet after what just happened.
"Where's your bow?" Akira asked.
"Isn't it obvious she did not bring it!" Rui glared at him.
"Why would she not bring it, then!" Akira returned his glare as low growls were heard from the both of them.
"...Stop that, please." she uttered, regaining herself while standing up wobbly. "It'll be suspicious to bring a bow in the class especially...sorry...and thank you for saving me." she braced herself as she felt shivers ran down her spine.
"...I don't really mind what I did." Akira said, his face a little tainted with pink. "Every would slayer would d-"
"Enough talk." Rui interfered. Akira was about to stand and smack him when Rinko ceased his action with a faint smile. "Take her to the dinning hall now. You haven't eaten anything yet, have you?" he asked as he averted his gaze from him and glanced at Rinko.
"It's all right...I'll just eat more at our break..." she gave him the same reassuring smile he gave to the other. Rui knows once she had decided, she's hard to convince. He almost sighed as he worries more for her.
"Just be sure you'll keep your words. Akira, bring her to their classroom now. Classes are soon to start. Tell Fuyumi to monitor her." He didn't reply but just obeyed and took her with him.
When they were gone from his sight, he bit his lower lip resulting for blood to trickle down his chin as he stared at the ashes of the late vampire. I know that you tried to resist...but for your current situation, there's no other way to save you aside from granting your death. He thought with his hand clenching in anger and as well as pity. Beneath his contact lenses, he knows his eyes are reddening.

They were a few meters away from class I-b when the bell rang, signaling the start of the classes. Darn...so the three of us are already late. He hissed. It took them some minutes for getting there since the building where the classrooms are is a bit far from the dorms. We probably won't be able to chase that bastard and save Rinko if we're in the boys' dorm as it's farther to them than this building is. He then slid the door and the teacher inside stopped from writing her lecture and approached him.
"Is there anything I can do for you?" she inquired.
"I'll just excuse her." she gasped when he showed the certain girl to her.
"Isn't she Harume Rinko-san?"
"Yes."
"We were just looking for her a while ago." then she looked around, trying to find her an empty seat but before she could decide, Fuyumi who is at the back row stood up and propelled to them. "C-chibara-san! Be on your-"
"Gomen, Shira-sensei but I need to talk with them now." seeing the seriousness in her voice, she led them out the classroom so they can speak in private. "What the hell happened that you took so long!"
"She was attacked." Akira answered in her place.
"W-Why didn't you bring your bow?" she asked and frowned when the other girl looked away. But Fuyumi held her face for them to look at each other, although she gasped.
"You have your staff?" he asked, worrying if she didn't.
"Yes. It's good that their skirt is two inches below the knees. It's held with the strap that's wrapped around my thigh."
"Rui ordered to monitor her and make sure she'll get to eat more meals at your break." and he walked past her, making his leave.
"Tell me what happened."
"...Fu-chan...The class is till going." the brunette's eyes widened upon hearing her old nickname. That was the name she used to address her with when they first met and before they both became slayers.
"I know, but-" Rinko put her self together and freed her face from Fuyumi's hands and her eyes from their contact. They both went back inside the classroom and after explaining to the teacher that there were just minor problems, she hurried back to her seat as Rinko, on the other hand, was ordered to sit beside the brunette and in front of a guy named Shan, fortunately. But since Sayako is at the rear of Fuyumi, the luck for them contrasted for her.
Just why are those slayers both in front of me? She thought as she suppresses a growl, closing her eyes.

The autumn leaves fall from the trees when the wind breezed in unison with the bell ringing for the dismissal. Some teachers were going to the faculty for rest as the others went to their meetings. The students were also leaving their classrooms and heading to their clubs. The activity time was already explained to the best friends after their dismissal. They were told that their tour around the clubs for them to choose one would be tomorrow.
It's a normal day if they would not mind the attack and because Rui ordered Fuyumi to monitor her and make sure she'll eat more, the two girls weren't able to investigate anything. As for the guys, Rui did nothing but to read a book when Akira patrolled on the school grounds.
Currently they're in class I-b, sitting on the chairs and formed as a circle. Fuyumi looked at Rinko then to the guys – their explanation is now.
"When I was looking for the dinning hall," Rinko started with a deep breath. "I saw a guy who looked ill. Since there was no one who might help him, I came to his side as his help but he attacked instead."
"That guy was the one Rui and I were chasing." Akira stated. "He went to the second floor and as we expected, he met her and she was attacked though I killed him before she was bitten."
"...shit." Fuyumi cursed in silence. "I should have been there and didn't go without you." Rinko squeezed her hand and whispered a reply which seemed like an apology.
"It's not your fault." Rui told her. "It's not anyone's fault, but Rinko starting on Wednesday you'll join the archery club. I already requested a bow that looked like yumi used in Kyuudo. You must bring it everywhere. I'll also bring my sword, as I'll join the Kendo club. Clear?"
"Yes." They all agreed.
After some planning on how they will carry their current mission, Fuyumi and Rinko stood up afterwards but the other two didn't. They stayed in their chairs and only looked to be brooding. Rinko crossed her arms as she waits for them to speak. Akira isn't that calculating. He only looked like that to cover Rui's unusual behavior.
"Onii-sama, what's wrong?" Fuyumi asked as she locked gazes with Rui. The two seemed to not want to leave yet. That's not the usual them.
"Nothing. You go ahead." Rui commanded to the brunette. "Rinko, stay here."
"Rui-aniki?" she asked as she ponders on what could be the reason of why he still wants her to stay. While hesitating, Fuyumi paced to the door without other words. Rinko exhaled in harmony with the wind that swooshed the leaves down.
"What is it?" she haughtily asked as she scowls. I want to take a nap already.
"Talk to Akishi Sayako-san." he said. "She's the student council president. I talked to her last night. Akira will take you to her. She's at the music room right now." and the said guy stood up and was about to lead her but she shrugged his hand off.
"The president is a first year?" she chuckled with a raised brow. "Are you kidding me, aniki?"
"Her year doesn't matter. She'll help you a lot."
"She won't understand." she opposed, still in an unbelieving tone. "She's a simple human. My problems are about vampires. She probably won't believe me."
"...She'll believe you. Don't you trust me?" he smiled at his own question.
"I...I trust you. Fine." she said with a snort. Aniki is planning something again. But why is it concerned with that Sayako? "Iku yo, Akira-aniki." she smiled at him and tugged at his arm and left the other slayer.
The music room is located at third floor so they headed to it with Akira leading her and looking around them every now and then, not letting their guard down and aware of every noise in their surrounding in case there would be another vampire that would attack again. When they arrived at their destination, a melody played as she turned the silver colored knob of its door.
Although a bit amused by it, she calmly entered and closed the door behind her after Akira said that he'd just wait. Inside, she saw Sayako playing the grand piano beside the windows draped with silk blue curtains. Aside from the piano, the room also has some tables, chairs and couches. The room appeared to her like a cafe especially with the designs that are carved on the slightly pinkish walls and the chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. If not for the violins, harps, drums, flutes and other musical instruments that are properly kept on a couch at a corner, she won't believe it's a music room.
"Irasshaimase." Sayako said tranquilly when she stopped from playing and glanced at her. Rinko walked to the windows, ignoring the couch by Sayako's side and sat on the sill with her right leg contracted and the other stretched. "This room is the room that the music club uses but since they're out for a competition with the other universities. I chose this place to talk to you. It's relaxing here. Your problems?"
"I was just told by Rui-aniki to talk to you." she bluntly said. "I was attacked by a vampire." Sayako didn't react and just listened more eagerly unlike what she had expected her to do. "I'm not sacred of them but it's just that...the timing itself was bad. I just dreamed about my past this morning." her voice was flat and nonchalant.
"Tell me that past," she ordered her eyes narrowing with a frown on her face.
"I won't take orders from you." she glared at her. "Besides, I don't even know you that much and you seemed like you're not believing with that frown of yours." she pointed a finger at her. Clenching her hand, Sayako tried to soften her expression.
"Your so-called problem might be related to your past," her hand trembled a bit with low anger. "So...if you'll not tell it to me then I can't do anything for you."
Do anything for me? Fuzaken ja ne yo...Rinko thought smirking that Sayako almost wanted to stand up and leave her but pushed the thought aside. Well...let's see if you can really do a thing... "My whole village was destroyed by a vampire." she coldly said. Still, the other has no reaction. "It started on the third day of spring. It was a clear day...the sky was perfect blue. We were in our small village and was preparing for the festival at the night when someone knocked on our door.
"It was a villager who was attacked and bitten by a vampire. He died right after explaining everything to us. We didn't believe him at first but otoo-san decided to warn the villagers and we packed our things up to evacuate after seeing the swollen bite marks on his corpse's neck.
"We were about to do what we planned when loud grumbles startled us. When we went out our cottage, we knew it was caused by an attack by that certain monster." she paused to look at her reflection to the glass windows beside her.
Aren't you, humans, the monsters yourselves? Sayako thought as she glared at her.
"Realizing no one was still alive, we tried to escape and get help but as we did, he just followed. My family was...murdered in my front...but what really can't accept was..." she bit her lip. "he was my childhood friend." Rinko clenched her hand, gritted her teeth and growled. She has been holding back herself from bashing the window at her side and breaking it just to end up in the chairman's office and get suspended. Sayako was fully aware of her anger but was still taken aback by her last statement. "If Rui-aniki hadn't come, I surely died as well...you know."
"What do you think was the reason of why that vampire did that?" Sayako sharply asked.
"Simple question." she smirked. "As I said, he was a monster. We were his food."
"How can you be so sure?" the vampire lord stood up and neared her. "Have it ever crossed your mind that he might have no other choice? That his thirst was killing him and he wasn't aware of what he was doing?"
"Simple-minded student council president," in the most expressive way she can show, she glared at her. "Don't you detest anything?"
"What do you mean, judgmental and inconsiderate dunce?"
"I detest everyone," she said and her smirk widened when Sayako's grip loosened. "I can't trust anybody because of the fact that they are beasts in human form... I don't know who are the enemies and who are not! My real problem..." she paused again as she tried to critically examine the other girl's expression but although it softened, the anger is still in her eyes. "...Is their very existence..." she did not exclaim as she looked at her, staring deeply in her enraged, autumnal, eyes but her flat, cold, hateful voice gave a dark feeling to what she said. "Tell me, what the hell can you do about that, eh? I don't care if he ran wild because he couldn't help it. That doesn't change the fact that he is a threat. And every threat...must be terminated." all of a sudden, she sarcastically played a childish cheerful smile.
"omae wa...!" Sayako glared again, returning her gaze. She tried very hard to control her rising temper. "What do you know about them!"
"Everything!" she said, all coldness gone and was replaced with a stubborn and angered one as she raised her voice the way the other did. "They are monsters who take blood for power!"
"But still-!" she hushed up when Rinko stood and paced, sat beside her and closed the distance between them, making an eye contact. Their gazes were unwavering.
"...Ne, you are a human, aren't you?" she whispered, her tone lower with a hint of malice. "The fact that you're saying that makes you like not...are you... one of them...?" she taunted. The vampire lord gritted her teeth for control when she saw the other's face after she pulled back. Her childish smile contrasted with her tone – almost as if she was between angelic and demonic.
There was a long moment of silence before Rinko laughed with a wind chime-like voice. Then, her serious, blank expression was there again after she quieted. "I won't stop until I've exterminated them all." and she headed to the door. "I simply can't continue living knowing there are monsters that someday may simply devour our world and hunt us for food. That's the reason I live...and for that, I can kill even you if you're like them…" with a chuckle, she added, "I told you my past to make you swallow your words, not because I trusted you...sayonara, Sayako-kaichou, hmmp." then she left, the smirk was still on her lips even when she slammed the door.
The vampire lord was snarling until every trace of her presence was gone. When she completely departed, she didn't bother herself to hold back. And her eyes became crimson red.

[four leaved clover ~ cross roads]